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Before I tell you “the rest of the story”…I am VERY pleased to announce that Mark has generously donated a 400 mm frame to be given away to readers of The Unbroken Thread. More details and how to enter are at the end of this article.

The first notice I got that the frame was on it’s way was from the Canadian Post, telling me it had been shipped and giving me a tracking number so I could follow my frame’s progress across the Atlantic. I always like to know where something is when I’ve ordered from overseas. So from the very outset, I was very pleased with the first class service in the shipping!

Next came the expected letter from the Zollamt – the customs office. This is how I knew the frame was in Germany and ready for me to pick up at the customs office. Now, every country does things slightly differently, but here in Germany, many packages are held at the customs office until the receiver can pick them up. So, the very next afternoon, Steve and I went to the Zollamt to get the frame.

We were pleasantly surprised by two things: the parking lot was almost empty and there was only one person waiting in front of us! Yes! We took our number and, when it came up on the board, we went to the window to collect the package. Here’s where the fun often begins. I’ve been to the Zollamt before to pick up embroidery related things and it’s always interesting to watch the reaction of whomever is helping us. It’s a requirement to open the package you’re picking up, so the customs officer can see what’s inside. So we did. Confusion.That’s what we saw on the face of the woman who helped us. Friendly confusion, but confusion nonetheless. My husband attempted to explain – in fact, he did a great job explaining – but there was still that look of confusion. She must have been thinking “Embroidery frame? But the embroidery isn’t finished. It’s not even here – there’s nothing to frame”.

Since it was sent as a gift there was no duty to pay but, had I ordered it and paid for it, there would have been. That’s the law in most countries – you have to pay import duty.

Then I just had to wait to get home to unwrap it. (Long car journey…impatient…too much traffic…)

Finally, home and unwrapped to find a bubble wrap package with a red square and 4 arrows drawn on it. Very clever! Inside the red square are the four cotter pins for the frame. Do you know how easy it is to miss these little things in a package? Now I’m even more impressed with the thought that goes in to the shipping and packaging!

I unwrapped the package and found my name on one of the cross bars. My own name in pretty script! Never will I worry about losing this frame at a course. All my other frames have my name written in black Sharpie – functional but not elegant.

Mark has also put his logo on the frames. The Canadian flag is a special nod to his adopted home.

Inside the mailing tube were three pieces of paper which contain very detailed, clear instructions on how to set up and use the frame. So many readers write and ask about how to use a slate frame. Before I took my first RSN course, I didn’t know how to use one either. These instructions are a great addition to the frame and it’s the only frame I know of with such detailed instructions. (Could I be right in thinking this is the work of Mark’s mother?) Third plus for customer service – an instruction manual!

Of course, next I put the frame together. The top and bottom bars – called the roller bars – have a groove into which a dowel is inserted. I was using a 30 count linen thread fabric which wasn’t thick enough to create the tension necessary when stretched – it just pulled out of the groove. So I simply folded the top and bottom of the ends of the fabric over and then put the double thickness into the frame. It worked a treat!

The instructions provided with the frame are slightly different from what I’ll describe and I have no doubt they would work very well. I am, however, currently recovering from my second hand surgery so my dear, sweet husband was doing the framing up for me.Therefore I chose the quickest method possible! He had NO idea that framing up was such a physical activity!

Once the fabric was in the roller bars we simply slid the stretcher bars into place and inserted the cotter pins, creating the tension that holds the fabric drum tight. Since I was not going to ask Steve to lace the sides as is usual, I can only report that even without lacing, the fabric is very tight and smooth.

The frame Mark sent is 300 mm which gives me a width of about 20 cm and height of anything between 9 and 22 cm. Perfect for projects I need to carry with me when I travel to England for an RSN or City and Guild course!

The most noticeable difference between this frame and all the others I own (and i own a lot of different frames ) is the finish. It’s just beautiful.

Here, in Mark’s own words, is an explanation of how the frames are finished and why they are finished this way. FYI – his wife does all the sanding and there’s a LOT of sanding!

“One other reason Mum didn’t like many frames was the poor finish on them, some being just raw wood which quickly take up sweat and oils from your skin, especially in 40 plus degree Celsius days of the Australian summer, where the temperature rarely drops below 30c, even at night for several months! So my frames get soaked in Danish Oil, which is actually a mix of Varnish and Tung Oil. The Danish oil soaks into the wood (unbelievable amounts of Danish oil soak in!) and it oxidises as it reacts with the air, causing it to polymerise (turn into a plastic), hardening inside the wood. Beech is already a pretty tough wood, with a super fine grain, so its not easy to dent like Pine which you can dent with a finger nail. The Danish oil makes the wood harder still, allowing it to resist dents, scratches and marks from drops and less-than-careful transport in a vehicle. As an added bonus, the wood is also virtually waterproof from the Danish oil, so spilled tea won’t instantly soak into the wood and the wood doesn’t get discoloured from use. This is probably enough for most people, however I also spray many coats of a hard gloss urethane onto the frame which hardens on the outside of the wood giving it a beautiful finish and making it even tougher and more resilient. This also helps stabilise the wood against changes in humidity. Like I say, more than half the cost of the frames is just in the finish!”

Mark enjoys working with the embroidery community, making the tools they need. Again, in his own words:

“I’m really enjoying building the embroidery items and the embroidery community is just so lovely – all the messages I get on Etsy are so encouraging. So many people are looking for very specific items, many ladies have been trying to get something for years or decades and its very exciting to be able to help them out with what they want – and not just embroidery frames either, all sorts of items I have the skills and equipment to build and they have asked for!”

Lately, whenever I decide whether or not to purchase something I consider three things: Firstly, do I need it? Secondly, will it last beyond my life time? Thirdly, is it hand made? Can I name the person who created the thing with his or her own hands?

Why these three questions? Everything we buy has an impact on the Earth’s resources. If we buy things we don’t need, we use resources the earth can’t spare. If we buy things that won’t last for at least a life time, we waste resources the earth can’t spare. If we buy things that’s aren’t hand made, we divorce the production of things from the maker – which is how we got into the predicament of having things we don’t need that waste the earths resources in the first place. Just because things are cheap and we can afford them, doesn’t mean we need them nor does it mean they’re a good use of the limited resources we have available to us.

So I whole-heartedly recommend Mark’s frames. If you need a slate frame, these are a great choice. They will last a life time – and beyond! They are hand made by someone who has a vested interest in using the resources carefully. And, the profits will go to help parents who need something that’s not provided at a time when they are at their most vunerable.

Mark’s Etsy shop has frames listed but he also does custom orders and will be making trestles in the future. He’s offering a 12% discount to those of us who are willing to wait for their frames. To find out more click hereto go to the Mythic Crafts homepage.

Now to the Give-away!

Mark is giving away a 400 mm slate frame. To see it on his Etsy home page, click here. To enter the drawing to win this frame, you must answer the following question as a comment in the comment box below on this page – The Story of Mythic Craft Slate Frames – Part 2.

What other tools you’d like to see Mark make for the embroidery community and why?

Call it market research for Mark!

This give-away is open to all, but please note that any and all customs fees or import duties are the complete responsibility of the winner. The Unbroken Thread and Mythic Crafts are not responsible for delayed, lost, or misdirected mail, or for any additional fees you may incur from customs, duties, taxes, postage and so forth. You may want to check on possible import duties in your own country before entering.

The deadline for entering is Saturday, March 25, 12:00 (midnight) GMT / Greenwich Mean Time. (You may need to look up your specific time zone to be sure you don’t miss the deadline!) I’ll notify you by email if you’re the lucky winner!

Me ! Me ! Me ! I agree with your mother , that most frames are not so smoothly finished , this has always put me off too ….but this looks just divine ! So lovingly made . It would be a joy to hold in my hands . Goodluck to everyone who enters . Daisy Debs

I know what you mean about friendly confusion when you say the words “embroidery frames”. I get the exact same look from friends and even once airport security.
I love buying hand made. I live in Canada and when I was looking to buy a scroll frame I tried to see if I can buy one made by a fellow Canadian. The scroll frame I ended up buying is made by a small family business based in Calgary. I’ve been wanting to buy a slate frame for goldwork and from your review it looks like an amazing product and a great opportunity to buy a Canadian made product. I wonder if I can get it as a birthday present this year, it’s coming up very soon 😉
It’s funny you mentioned trestles, because that is exactly what I was thinking I want when I was looking at his etsy shop yesterday 🙂 I’ve been wanting one forever and there are no sellers in Canada.

Tough choice – there are so many embroidery items that would be perfect in well-crafted, well-finished wood: scroll frames, stands, laying tools, to name just a few.

My thoughts turned to embroidery storage though. I would love to see stackable shallow trays (felt lined) for embroidery floss and tools. Storage is always a problem, and stylish storage even more so. I use the Expedit/Kallax shelves from IKEA for craft storage, with each cube’s internal measurements being roughly 13″x13″x13″, so my ideal tray would be around 13″x13″.

If the trays are sold individually and are stackable, I could order as few or as many as I need and can afford at a time.

Thank you for the opportunity, and I wish Mark all the best with his endeavors.

Wishing Mark all the very best with his frames, and to keep the Aussie flag flying I will certainly be ordering one. I would love to see some beautiful boxes with recessed sides to insert embroideries, much like a curiosities cabinet but smaller. I know this isn’t a tool, but such wonderful workmanship would not be wasted on a very useful box.
Congratulations to whoever wins.

Trestles would be the obvious next step as the pine ones that I have are servicable but not attractive at all. Laying tool also, but I would like to have a well-made wooden box for keeping my threads and tools in for my current project, instead of the mess that I leave at the end of a day of stitching.

Very nice give away. I’ve been looking at those frames since Mary Corbet posted her review.

As for other tools, Mark could make, I’d like to see trestles or an embroidery stand (or both) so that I can work “hands free”. If he decided to make either trestles or stands, could he also make a small tray (20×15 cm) that attaches to the trestle or stand? Something like that would give me a place to keep my scissors, thread, and notions without taking up couch space or displacing the cat on my arm rest. An added bonus would be to attach hooks on the side to hang things off for a more efficient use of space.

Mark’s work is beautiful, and I’d love to win his slate frame! I would also like to see wooden boxes with lid openings for embroideries, frames to hold finished embroideries, as well as a sit-upon adjustable embroidery hoop. Wishing Mark and his wife every success.

Hello-I would love to see a tray, maybe a shaker-type of oval tray, without the center handle. I could put it on my lap while I am applying beads to my needlework. It would hold my scissors and my little flat of beads all in one place,. I envision something maybe 14-18″ across, to accommodate any size lap! And it should match the beautiful finish of the slate frame.

Mark’s work is beautiful, and I would love the opportunity to try his frame! I would love to see some kind of sewing kit to organize threads and materials needed for a given project. Thanks so much for the great review and kind giveaway.

I’d like something kind of like a knife block that I can keep tools in (like my scissors, laying tool, transfer pencil, tweezers, etc.). I’d love to have these readily accessible not laying on the table or on the seat beside me and soon lost in the seat cushion etc. Of course handcrafted laying tools would be a delight too!

Beautiful frame! I would love to see Mark add some lovely thread keepers. Most of the ones I have seen are multi- rowed, which can become confusing. I would like to see a single row thread keeper with a space directly on top of the hole to record the thread number. Perhaps a package of several of these together for larger projects.

I would like to see a STURDY clamp to clamp a hoop or frame to a table. The barrel-shaped wooden ones are weak and shift easily. Right now i am using a regular screw clamp that fits into a slot i have sawed into my studio table, but there has to be a better solution than sawing into every table i own.

Love the frame, maybe if there were a nice wooden clamp or stand to hold it. It’s hard to find beautifully crafted items and this frame is gorgeous. Or maybe a tool holder for scissors, and a tray for threads and needles

That frame is beautiful! I think some sort of trestles or stand would be nice. Something with enough heft to not worry about it tipping over with the work in it, and that can hold the frame or hoop securely.

I just ordered a set of raised embroidery tools from Great Britain because I could not find a source here in North America. The set includes 5 half cones in various sizes and shapes, a ring stick, and a brass stiletto with a wooden handle. Seems like something Mark could easily make.

A lovely slate frame Mark! I’d like to see you make trestles similar to those used at the Royal School of Needlework and other places for us to rest our slate frames and large stretcher bars on. Ideally one would be able to have them level or angled to suit the project one is working on.

A much smaller item that I have but have not been able to find again is a small laying tool with a narrowing and then a slight bulge before it narrows to a rounded point. This is the best laying tool I have ever found due to the slight bulge and rounded rather than sharp point. I got it at a craft show 20 years ago and have not found another like it!

I could really use a lap stand. If it could hold these beautiful frames that would be a bonus. If they swiveled near the center we could have easy access to both front and back of the embroidery. I would also like a frame with a narrower working space, say 6″. This would be great for working with banding and smaller projects.

The first time I used a slate frame was for a tambour beading workshop and we placed the frames between two tables so we could get our hands underneath. I would suggest a stand of some type that lifts the frame off the table with enough room to get your hands underneath. Also I do a lot of free machine embroidery and am yet to find a decent frame for this.

My ultimate tool would combine storage as well as a work surface. I have only see one and have been unable to find it anywhere. It has to do with “goldwork”…a place to keep your supplies while there is a recessed surface for cutting your items with your precious goldwork scissors. A place for threads,wax, needles etc. All small enough to take to a class or have next to you while you are working on a project. I love gorgeous but practical tools makes me smile while I am embroidering! Thanks for the give-away!

Sturdy work stand with ability to attach accessories, such as a lamp/light holder,;magnifying glass holder; small dish or box holder for pins, scissors, etc; magnetic board for attaching pattern instructions; clamp for attaching ring for threads; lace pillow board.
Lap stand with variety of optional sized frames, circular, square and rectangle shaped.
Beautifully crafted embroidery rings in multiple sizes for free holding.
Small set of wooden drawers for storing embroidery threads.
Hinged box to house a current project with everything needed stored in one place – easy to find, easy to use!
Open box for holding items in use for present project.
Looking forward to seeing some of these ideas emerge from your workshop! 🙂

Your slate frame is on my wish list. Really love the personalisation of adding a name. Tools I really enjoy using in wood include a hedebo ring stick, half cones, aficot, awl and laying tool. Whilst these are small turned items they can be made in such a variety of woods. Not a tool but small boxes for finished Goldwork and Stumpwork embroideries would also be fabulous. Congratulations Mark on producing a beautifully handmade frame.

I am disabled person who eels out presents to give at holidays. Everyone loves my gifts being they are handmade and take me forever. This product would make my ability to make things happen without the pain I have to I’m sure not with heavier less thought out frames.
I am not sure what you are asking as I have limped along myself and just now happened on this beautiful tool.
A tool mark could make that will help someone like me, I suffer from Osteogeninus imperfect (meaning my bones are very fragile and crack and break to easy I also have spinal cord damage in 3 places) .would be a hoop in a larger hoop using the larger one as the part to lay against the lap while elevating the secondary hoop to present the project to give a better lit surface. I have seen for. Two hundred dollars once at a craft fair. It looked very sturdy and useful.
I love the frame mark built its made of light weight materials and at every stage is detail paid attention to.
I would love to buy one but it will take me 9 or more months on ssi. For Christmas this last year I received two projects I’d love to do but they require a frame and the only ones I can buy are too heavy for me to use.
Maybe in the not to distant future mark can find another project to do to make people like me life better. I do projects to give as gifts that sometimes takes me a year or more to do.
Thank you for reading.
Mark if you like to know more I can draw up plans for the device I suggest.
Daisie.

An adjustable stand strong enough to hold larger frames would be fantastic. And aside from tools, something like boxes with inserts in the lid to mount embroidery. And cabinets for 17th C style embroidery to be mounted on. And mirrors for the same. And… So many ideas out there he could be doing.

I would like a nice box to hold my tools when traveling. The only wood ones i find have the dreaded magnets in them which are not that helpful and more of a nuisance when things stick to them. And soft cases just dont protect my scissors and laying tools the way i want

Hi Kathy,
Would love to win – have been thinking of ordering from Mark for a while although I have all the sizes I need.
I would like to see him make paneled embroidery boxes where panels of embroidery could be inserted … lots of ideas there.
Thanks for the chance

I was very moved when I read part 1 of this story. Thank you for sharing that Kathy. Mark is a very talented young man and kudos to his wife, Tarryn, for all the sanding work done! I wish you both the very best.
Last month Janet Granger wrote a blog post about her beautiful oak sewing box with an aperture lid that her clever husband had made for her. It was stunning and I was wondering where I could buy something like that.https://janetgranger.wordpress.com/2017/02/16/my-oak-sewing-box/
I would love for Mark to make boxes like this and I’m sure I’m not the only one 🙂

Dear Mark,
There are three items that I would like to see made as beautifully as your frames. The first is an easel. In the 1990’s a needlework company made very nice scroll frames and easels. I was smart enough to purchase an easel, altho at the time I was unsure if I would use it. I find I have in in almost constant use. I use it for works in progress – setting a piece in the easel while it is in the scroll frame. This allows me to get a nice perspective on the work. I also us it for pieces I want to show, but do not want to hang on the wall.

The other items are a bit more traditional: nice scroll frames and a nice table/lap stand.

So many wonderful suggestions have already been given; I doubt anything I suggest will be new. For a slate frame, a trestle; for a specific project, a box to hold fabric, floss, and chart. If the box had a lid to keep everything clean and organized, perhaps a groove or slot to hold the chart. For beloved tools such as scissors and laying tools, a block.
Thank you for the opportunity to win such a beautifully made piece. Good luck to all.

Oh!! this is a frame to behold. Such love care and craft man ship
Screen for Trevelyon’s Cap
I would love to see a wooden Etui
Old fashion Wooden Tea trays that we can show off our finished pieces.
A fire screen to show of my Mellarstain project.
Custom made frames.
Thank you Kathy for your generosity, so kind.

I would love to see handmade wooden embroidery hoops. I have a handmade quilting hoop and it’s an amazing tool and cannot be compared to anything store bought. While slate frames are awesome, I think I will always have a need to use embroidery hoops. That being said, where I live (Canada) it is very difficult to find decent embroidery hoops; in fact I have yet to find any except for the mass market flimsy things that are really no use at all. Thank you for the give away!

A wooden Mellor please. They are beautiful to handle and use. An initial on one side could personalize it. This would be relatively(!) easier to produce and package to send round the world to Mark’s many fans.

‘Tis a frame to delight, drum-tight!—I’ve just ordered the 300mm go-anywhere frame from Mark, and would love a large at-home frame, as well. Excited to learn Japanese silk embroidery, I’ll need to find a way to work ergonomically, with Left hand UNDER frame, and will have to figure out stands. Perhaps a fold-away lap stand for the travel frame?—standard “table” working height seems several inches too high. I’m wishing a stunning “furniture piece” for the larger frame in living room or studio, cantilevered (easy to get in-out-of), with tray, capable of attaching magnifying glass. Japanese Embroidery Center has their version online. Koma (spools) and storage box would be nice, too (see: JEC Store).

One thought: wouldn’t it be nice to see a selection of Special Order custom stand styles available from Mark—not everyone’s needs are alike. Thank you, Kathy, for posting the story behind Mythic Crafts… I’m so touched, wishing Mark and Tarryn the very best, and finding continual joys. And, “Best of Luck!” to all participating in this wonderful give-away! ~myrna

Mark should make trestles for his lovely slate frames to sit on. I realize there are lovely trestles on the market, but none made in Canada and since they are a large item – shipping is expensive. So if he added this to his line we could purchase the whole package; especially those of us living in Canada or the US.

Looks lovely….. i would like some equally well made trestle stand(s)! Perhaps something that can hold the frame but that you could turn the frame to vertical position for easily storage against a wall for easy storage for those of us with little floor space please.

These frames look beautiful and an interesting adaptation to the traditional slate frame. Trestles that Mark plans to make are at the top of my list. Thread storage cabinets would be a welcomed product. Due to the detrimental affect wood has on textiles the drawers would have to be lined .

I woud love a beautiful wooden box for my embroidering thread, with place for mounting a embrodery for exampel on the top als an pincoushion or as a sidepanel.
I am surprised to read that the oil is called Danish oil, I live in Denmark, and here it is called rustic oil or kitchen tabel Oil, and yes its gives a beautiful finish 🙂

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überlegen – to think, consider, ponder, deliberate

For centuries women have done needlework. It was a necessary skill, it was an accomplishment, it was a chance to appear to be active while giving ones mind free rein to consider, to think.
Calm, slow, careful stitches gave the appearance of activity, skill and usefulness, but the mind was free to think, to be quiet, to wander...
An unbroken thread of women, stitching quietly, their minds pondering, considering, thinking, deliberating...for ages and ages.